The story behind the Norfolk Blue

Looking at pictures of Norfolk Island, the South Pacific gem could well be synonymous with the colour blue. From the clear skies above to the ocean that surrounds it, blue dominates the landscape alongside stunning shades of green.

Even the island’s paddocks are a combination of these colours, with blue-hued cattle munching happily on the lush emerald pastures.

Yes, you read that correctly – even the cows are blue on Norfolk Island. Blue and white, to be specific, and very friendly.

Only one herd of Norfolk Blue cattle exists in Australia, with the 55 head calling Norfolk Island home.

Cattle were introduced to Norfolk Island in the 1790s, but it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that a blue bull was brought to the island by Gilly Bailey. Because cattle roamed freely, that bull ‘socialised’ with the locals and left his blue mark on generations of cows to come.

In the early 2000s, all of the unusual blue/blue and grey/blue and white cattle roaming the roads on Norfolk Island, were purchased and relocated to Hundred Acre Farm with a view to replicating their unique physical appearance and quiet temperament through a dedicated breeding program.

From paddock to plate

Norfolk Island beef is known for its intense flavour due to the unique, rich and varied diet of the local cattle. It’s no surprise that it’s a staple on restaurant menus across the island, including The Homestead.

Located on Hundred Acre Farm, The Homestead takes ‘paddock to plate’ dining to a whole new level. The farm produces beef and vegetables commercially, so naturally these are featured heavily in the menu alongside fish sourced from the island’s clean wild waters.

At the heart of the kitchen is a wood fuelled Argentinian Perilla grill, used to cook the ingredients over embers to intensify the flavours. The Homestead also bakes Norfolk's only true wood-fired naturally fermented sourdough, Forager, which features on the seasonal menus.

Bounty Bar & Grill is renowned for its locally sourced steak and burgers, while Slick & Sons Butchery is a must-visit for barbecue essentials – not only Norfolk Island beef but a range of poultry, lamb and pork from Australia’s best producers.

Norfolk Island is a proverbial library of colourful stories – the tale of the Norfolk Blue is just one of them. To discover more about this unique South Pacific island, reach out to the team at Spacifica Travel on 1800 800 722 or view the available packages.